At least in three provinces of the country the paramilitary groups are taking children for their enlargement, Caramagna said at an event marking the demobilization of 150 members of the United Self-Defense of Colombia (AUC).
Caramagna said there were evidences that those already disarmed were forced to join the ultra-rightist groups again, otherwise, they would be killed.
“We found this problem in many zones of the country, such as in the northern provinces of El Cesar and Magdalena,” Caramagna said.
After a peace process in April 2006, former AUC combatants regrouped themselves into criminal bands to continue with drug trafficking and other armed activities.
“We have verified in many cases demobilized AUC members who refused to join the new bands were killed,” Caramagna said.
Caramagna said the problem was particularly serious in the agroindustrial zone of Uraba, the shanty towns in Antioquia capital Medellin and poor regions of El Cesar and Magdalena. (Xinhua)
